Grapple



Sept. 2, 1958 L. LEROY 2,850,189

- GRAPPLE Filed May 14, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR.

I lav/.5 .lzea s Sept. 2, 1958 LEROY 2,850,189

GRAPPLE Filed May 14, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 J! I BY 54 I 5 i v fizQa/awSept. 2, 1958 L, LERO 850,189

' GRAEPLE Filed May 14, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet s 5' Ii- 37 I60, 4.

INVENTOR.

Laws lzveoy BY United States Patent GRAPPLE Louis Leroy, Altadena,Calif., assignor to M. P. McCaffrey, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., acorporation of California Application May 14, 1956, Serial No. 584,586

16 Claims. (Cl. 214-114) This invention relates to grapples and moreparticularly to a crane-operated grapple for handling scrap metal,scrapped automobile bodies and various other pieces of scrap material.

It is an object of this invention to provide a grapple of the characterdescribed which is an improvement over grapples heretofore made, inpoint of ruggedness, long life, ease of operation and control,reliability of performance and the capacity for handling large amountsof scrap metal of various sizes and shapes.

It is another object of this invention to provide a grapple such asdescribed which includes an electromagnet arranged to aid in thehandling of metal scrap by the grapple arms and in the operation of'sucharms.

It is another object of this invention to provide a grapple such asdescribed having novel means for connecting an electrical conductorcable with the magnet so that damage of the cable and failure thereof asa conductor are prevented.

It is another object of this invention to provide a grapple such asdescribed which embodiesa novel construction and arrangement of an upperbody adapted to be suspended by the holding line of a crane, a lowerbody swingably mounting grapple arms; a block and tackle unit operableas a link between the two bodies by means of the hoist line actuatedfrom the crane, for effecting relative vertical movement between the twobodies; links connecting the upper body with the grapple arms forswinging the arms into and from load-supporting position responsive torelative vertical movement between the two bodies; and an electromagnetcarried by the lower body for aiding in the handling of metal scrap aswell as the operation of the grapple arms.

This invention possesses many other advantages and has other objectswhich may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of oneembodiment of the invention. For this purpose there is shown one form inthe drawing accompanying and forming part of the present specification.This form will now be described in detail, illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that thisdetailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since thescope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a grapple embodying the present inventionas it would appear when installed for operation in connection withacrane, showing the grapple in load-supporting and elevated position infull lines and in lowered and open position in dot-dash lines.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the grapple as seen from line 2-2 of Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig.2; I

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig.2, showing parts of the grapple in raised position in dot-dash lines;

Fig. 5 is atop plan view taken from the 5-5 of Fig. 4;

2,850,189 Patented Sept. 2, 1958 2' I Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectionalview taken on the line 66 of Fig. 4; and p T i Fig. 7 is an enlargedsectional view taken on the line 7--7 of Fig. 4. p

In Fig. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a grapple 1 embodying thepresent invention, as it would appear when ready for use in connectionwith a crane. Only the boom 2 of the crane is shown. The holding line 3and the hoist line.,4 of the craneare connected with ,the grapple andfor operating the latter in a manner to be hereinafter fully described.Also connected with the grapple are a tag line 5 and an electricalconductor. cable 6, which are operatively mounted on a spring-loadedtagline drum 7 supported on the boom 2. The .tagline 5 and cable 6extend over guide pulleys 8 and 9 respectively, also mounted on the boom2. adjacent the drum 7.

Generally, the grapple 1 includes an upper body 10 7 adapted to besuspended by the holding line 3 of the crane; a lower body 11, a blockand tackle unit 12 linking the two bodies,- grapple arms 13 swingablymounted on the lower body 11, and links 14 betweenthe upper body 10 andthe grapple arms.

The block and tackle unit 12 includes the hoist line 4 of the crane,also pulley blocks 15' andj16mounted on the upper body 10 and lower body11 respectively. Actu ation of this block and tackle unit 12 byappropriate movemeat-of the holding line 3 and hoist line 4, will eifectthe movement of thegrapple arms 13 into and from lead supportingposition in a manner to be hereinafter more fully described. i

As here shown, an electromagnet 17 is carried by the lower body 11 toaid in the picking up andhandling of scrap metal, particularlysmall,scrap. This magnet may be removed if desired when large pieces of scrapare to be handled. However, the magnet does not interfere with thehandling of large pieces of scrap. In fact, the use'of the magnetappreciably increases the 'efliciency of the v18 welded to one anotherto provide a skeleton structure.

This structure includes a pair'of opposed flange portions 19 locatedcentrally of the upper side of the body whereby a clamp 20 may bepivoted therebetween, as at 21, to provide for connecting the holdingline 3 of the crane with the body 10. Y

The links 14 here shown in the form of steel bars," have their upperends pivoted as22 on the upper body 10 and their lower ends pivoted asat 23 on the grapple arms 13.

The crane hoist line 4 extends downwardly through an opening 25 in thebody 10 to the pulley block 16 on the lower body 11, thence upward andaround the pulley block 15, being connected to one of the blocks in theconventional manner of block and tackle units. Guide rollers 26 and 27are mounted on the upper body 10 adjacent the opening 25 whereby thehoist line '4. will be guided through the opening 23.

The lower body 11 is in; the form of a skeleton steel. structure similarto that of the upper'body 11 and mounts the pulley lock 16 on the upperside thereof.

The grapple arms 13 are pivoted as at 29 in recesses 30 in the lowerbody 11 so that they may swing into and from a position for gripping andsupporting a load of scrap. When swung downwardly, the arms 13 extendbelow the magnet 17 so that the free .ends thereof abut one another. Inthis way the scrap is gripped between of the magnet to facilitatecontact of the magnet with the scrap.

1 J As here shown, each of the grapple arms 13 is in the form of anarcuate steel bar having laterally extended flanges 31 along the inneredges. thereof. The flanges 31 on each arm 13 are enlarged laterally asat 32 (see Fig. 2). in a direction away fromthe free end'of the arm soas to provide comparatively wide supporting surface for a load of scrapmaterial held by and between the arms.

The magnet 17 as well seen with reference to Fig. 3 is of greaterdiameter than thelower body 11 and is detachably secured thereto bymeans of the fastenings 34. The magnet with the lower body 11 serves asan eifective counterweight in the operation of the grapple.

The pivotal connections 23 of the lower ends of the links 14 with thegrapple arms 13 are located between the ends of such arms at pointsnearer to the pivoted ends of the arms than to the free ends of sucharms.

Means are providedfor connecting the electrical conductor cable 6 withthe grapple in such a manner as to prevent damage of the cable andfailure thereof as an electrical conductor. This means includes a pairof pulleys 36 and 37 on the upper body 10 and a flexible shield 38 onthe lower body 11. The pulley 36 is mounted in a frame-39 which isswivelly mounted on a vertical axis as at 41 (see Figs. 1, 4, and on theupper body 10. The cable 6 extends from theboom-carried tagline drum 7and pulleys Sand 9; over the pulley 36 and then downwardly in a straightline to the magnet 17. The pulley 37 is mounted on the frame 39 abovethe pulley 36 and engagesthe cable 6 to hold it in place on the pulley36.

The shield 38 is in the form of a coiled spring which surrounds thelowerend portion of the cable 6 and is secured in any suitable manner ina socket 43 on an arm 44 fastened as at 45 On an angle bar 46 welded onthe body 11..

It is desired to secure the lower end portion of the conductor cable 6to the lower body 11 in such a manner that any lateral movement of thecable between the upperbody and the lower body 11, as may be occasionedby the cable encountering objects in the use of. the grapple, or by anyother cause, will not damage the cable. Accordingly, a slip clamp 48grips the cable 6 beneath the arm 46 and is held in place by means ofbolts 49, as shown inFigs; 4 and 7. The upper end of the clamp 48 abutsthe lower side of the arm 46, whereas the lower end of the clamp engagesthe upper end of a shield plate 50. The cable 6 extends downwardly fromthe clamp 48 through an opening 51 in the shield plate 50 and at itslower end is electrically connected with bindingposts 52 for the magnet17.. The shield plate 50 is secured in place by bolts 53 so asto protectthat portion of. the cable disposed between the clamp 48 and the binding posts 52.

It will now be apparent that as the upper and lower bodies 10 and 11 ofthe grapple are relatively moved in the operation of the grapple, theconductor cable 6 will be guided and held in a comparatively straightline by the coiled spring shield 38 and the pulleys 36 and 37 therebypreventing kinking of the cable and resultant failure thereof. Thespring shield 38 also yields responsive to being struck by or against anobject in the use of the grapple and therefore with the clamp 48 and theshield plate 50 will prevent damage of the cable.

As here shown, there are four grapple arms 13 and four links 14connecting the grapple arms with the upper body 10. These links and armsare pivoted in such a manner as to prevent relative turning or swingingmovement of the bodies 10 and 11 in the use of the grapple.

In the operation of the grapple to lower it into position to pick upscrap metal from the ground or other surface, for example, from. theelevated position shown in full lines in Fig. l, the holding line 3 islowered an appropriate extent and then held, after which the hoist line4 is lowered, thereby permitting the lower body 11 and magnet 17 togravitate a unit relative to the upper body and onto the scrap to bepicked up. As the body 11 and magnet 17 are lowered, the links 14 causethe grapple arms 13 to be raised, as shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 1,when the magnet 17 rests on the scrap material. With the parts of thegrapple in the position shown in dotdash lines in Fig. 1, the magnet maybe energized to attract and hold the scrap material; upon now liftingthe hoist line 4, the body 11 is moved upwardly toward the body 10,whereby the links 14 will cause the grapple arms 13' to swing down andencompass the scrap material beneath the magnet 17, thereby picking upthe scrap. During this actuation of the grapple arms 13, the holdingline 4,.is raised appropriately and upon continued raising of the linethe grapple may be lifted off the ground and moved by the crane for thehandling of the load of scrap as desired.

When it is desired to release the load of scrap, the magnet 17 isdeenergized and the hoist line 4 is lowered while the upper body'11- isheld by the holding line 3. The body 11 and magnet 17 will thengravitate downwardly to swing the grapple arms 13 upwardly andoutwardly, thereby releasing the scrap load.

I claim:

1. A grapple comprising: an upper body, adapted to be suspended by theholding line of a crane; a lower body; an electromagnet supported bysaid lower body; grapple arms swingably mounted on said lower body; ablock and tackle unit linking said bodies; said unit including a hoistline adapted to be operated by the crane for actuating said unit toeffect relative vertical movement between said bodies; links connectingsaid upper body with said arms operable to swing said arms into and fromload sustaining position responsive to relative vertical movementbetween said bodies; a flexible electrical conductor cable electricallyconnected with said electromagnet and adapted to be connected with asource of electrical energy; a pulley mounted on said body in a positionsuch that the conductor cable may be extended in a straight line fromsaid electromagnet up to and over said pulley; and a tubular shield onsaid lower body through which said cable extends.

2. A grapple comprising: an upper body, adapted to be suspended by theholding line of a crane; a lower body; an ele'ctromagnet supported bysaid lower body; grapple arms swingably mounted on said lower body; ablock and tackle unit linking said bodies; said unit ineludingv a hoistline adapted to be operated by the crane for actuating said unit toeffect relative vertical movement between said bodies; links connectingsaid upper body with said. arms operable to swing said arms into andfrom load sustaining position responsive to relative vertical movement.between said bodies; a pulley positioned on said upper body so that aconductor cable for said electromagnet may be extended thereover anddownwardly in a substantiallystraight line for connection with saidelectromagnet; and an upstanding tubular shield for said cable carriedby said lower body; said shield surrounding said cable.

3. A grapple comprising: an upper body, adapted to be suspended by theholding line of a crane; a lower body; grapple arms; means swingablymounting said arms on said lower body; a block and tackle unit linkingsaid bodies; said unit including a hoist line adapted to be operated bythe crane for actuating said unit to effect relative vertical movementsbetween said bodies; links conmeeting said upper body with said armsoperable to swing said arms upwardly from load-sustaining position uponmovement of said bodies away from one another and to swing said armsdownwardly into load-sustaining position upon movement of said bodiestoward one another; an electromagnet; and means mounting saidelectromagnet on said lower body.

4. A grapple comprising: an upper body; means on said body forconnecting said body with the holding line of a crane; a lower body;pulleys on said bodies; a line connecting said pulleys operable by thehoist line of the crane for effecting relative movement between saidbodies; larcuate grapple arms; means pivotally mounting one end of eachof said arms on said lower body; said arms being swingable between aclosed position in which the free ends thereof substantially contact oneanother and an open position in which said free ends are raised upwardlyand outwardly; rigid links pivoted -at their ends to said grapple armsand said upper body respectively; an electromagnet; and means detachablymounting said electromagnet on the under side of said lower body; saidfree end of said grapple arms 'being disposed above the plane of thelower side of said magnet when in said open position.

5. A grapple comprising: an upper body, adapted to be suspended by theholding line of a crane; a lower body; grapple arms swingably mounted onsaid lower body; a block and tackle unit linking said bodies; said unitincluding a hoist line adapted to be operated by the crane for actuatingsaid unit to effect relative vertical movement between said bodies;links connecting said upper body with said arms operable to swing saidarms into and from load sustaining position responsive to relativevertical movement between said bodies; said lower body being constructedand arranged to detachably support thereon an electromagnet free fromconnection with said arms; elements on said upper body and said lowerbody respectively, mounted in line with one another whereby anelectrical conductor cable may be supported and held thereon forconnection with such an electromagnet; and means mounting thecable-supporting element on said upper body so as to swivel about asubstantially vertical axis.

6. A grapple comprising: an upper body, adapted to be suspended by theholding line of a crane; a lower body; grapple arms; means swingablymounting said arms on said lower body; a block and tackle unit linkingsaid bodies; said unit including a hoist line adapted to be operated bythe crane for actuating said unit to effect relative vertical movementbetween said bodies; links connecting said upper body with said armsoperable to swing said arms into and from load sustaining positionresponsive to relative vertical movement between said bodies; anelectromagnet; means detachably mounting said electromagnet on saidlower body; a guide pulley for an electrical conductor cable; meansmounting said pulley so as to swivel about an upright axis on said upperbody; and means on said lower body substantially in line with said guidepulley providing for electrically connecting said cable with saidmagnet.

7. A grapple comprising: an upper body, adapted to be suspended by theholding line of a crane; a lower body; grapple arms swingably mounted onsaid lower body; a block and tackle unit linking said bodies; said unitincluding a hoist line adapted to'be operated by the crane for actuatingsaid unit to eifect relative vertical movement between said bodies;links connecting said upper body with said arms operable to swing saidarms into and from load sustaining position responsive to relativevertical movement between said bodies; an electromagnet on said lowerbody; a guide pulley for an electrical conductor cable; means mountingsaid pulley so as to swivel about an upright axis on said upper body;means on said lower body substantially in line with said guide pulleyproviding for electrically connecting said cable with said magnet; and apulley on said mounting means for holding said cable on said guidepulley.

8. A grapple comprising: an upper body, adapted to be suspended by theholding line of a crane; a lower body; grapple arms swingably mounted onsaid lower body; a block and tackle unit linking said bodies; said unitincluding a hoist line adapted to be operated by the crane for actuatingsaid unit to effect relative vertical movement between said bodies;links connecting said upper body with said arms operable to swing saidarms into and from load sustaining position responsive to relativevertical movement-between said bodies; an electromagnet on said lowerbody; a guide pulley for an electrical conductor cable; means mountingsaid pulley to swivel about an upright axis on said upper body; means onsaid lower body substantially in line with said guide pulley providingfor electrically connecting said cable with said magnet; and a flexibletubular shield carried by said lower body for embracing and protectingthe lower portion of said cable.

9. A grapple comprising: an upper body, adapted to be suspended by theholding line of a crane; a lower body; grapple arms swingably mounted onsaid lower body; a block and tackle unit linking said bodies; said unitincluding a hoist line adapted to be operated by the crane for actuatingsaid unit to efiect relative vertical movement between said bodies;links connecting said upper body with said arms operable to swing saidarms into and from load sustaining position responsive to relativevertical movement between said bodies; an electromagnet on said lowerbody; a guide pulley for an electrical conductor cable; means mountingsaid pulley so as to swivel about an upright axis on said upper body;and means on said lower body substantially in line with said guidepulley for connecting said cable with said lower body and electricallyconnecting said cable with said magnet; said last named means includinga coiled spring shield through which said cable may be extended; meansfixing one end of said shield to said lower body; a clamp gripping saidcable below said last named means; means fixing said clamp to said lowerbody; and a shield plate on said lower body covering the portion of thecable between said clamp and said magnet. v

10. A grapple comprising: an upper body adapted to be suspended by theholding line of a crane; a lower body; grapple arms swingably mounted onsaid lower body; a

' block and tackle unit linking said bodies; said unit including a hoistline adapted to be operated by the crane for actuating said unit toefiect relative vertical movement between said bodies; links connectingsaid upper body with said arms operable to swing said arms into and fromload sustaining position responsive to relative vertical movementbetween said bodies; an electromagnet on saidlower body; guide meansmounted on one of said bodies adapted to be slidably engaged by anelectrical conductor cable so that said cable may be extended downwardlytherefrom for electrical connection with said magnet; and clamping meansdisposed between said guide means and said magnet in line with saidguide means for gripping and holding the cable adjacent the electricalconnection of the cable with said magnet, whereby said cable will movein,a straight line between said clamping means and said guide means uponrelative vertical movement between said bodies.

11. A grapple comprising: an upper body adapted to be suspended by theholding line of a crane; alower body; grapple arms swingably mounted onsaid lower body; a block and tackle unit linking said bodies; said unitincluding a hoist line adapted to be operated by the crane for actuatingsaid unit to effect relative vertical movement between said bodies;links connecting said upper body with said arms operable to swing saidarms into and from load sustaining position responsive to relativevertical movement between said bodies; an electromagnet on said lowerbody; guide means mounted on one of said bodies adapted to be slidablyengaged by an electrical conductor cable so that said cable may beextended downwardly therefrom for electrical connection with saidmagnet; clamping means disposed between said guide.

means and said magnet in line with said guide means for gripping andholding the cable adjacent the electrical connection of the cable withsaid magnet, whereby said cablewill move in a straight line between saidclamping means and said guide means upon relative vertical movementbetween said bodies; and a shield between said guide means and saidclamping means for covering and protect ing said cable.

12. A grapple comprising: an upper body adapted to be suspended by theholding line of a crane; a lower body; grapple arms swingably mounted onsaid lower body; a block and tackle unit linking said bodies; said unitincluding a hoist line adapted to be operated by the crane for actuatingsaid unit to effect relative vertical movement between said bodies;links connecting said upper body with said arms operable to swing saidarms into and from load sustaining position responsive to relativevertical movement between said bodies; an electromagnet on said lowerbody; guide means mounted on one of said bodies adapted to be slidablyengaged by an electrical conductor cable so that said cable may beextended downwardly therefrom for electrical connection with saidmagnet; clamping means disposed between said guide means and said magnetin line with said guide means for gripping and holding the cableadjacent the electrical connection of the cable with said magnet,whereby said cable will move in a straight line between said clampingmeans and said guide means upon relative vertical movement between saidbodies; and means disposed above and below said clamping means forcovering and protecting said cable.

13. A grapple comprising: an upper body, adapted to be suspended by theholding line of a crane; a lower body; grapple arms swingably mounted onsaid lower body; a block and tackle unit linking said bodies; said unitincluding a hoist line adapted to be operated by the crane for actuatingsaid unit to effect relative vertical movement between said bodies;links connecting said upper body with said arms operable to swing saidarms into and from load sustaining position responsive to relativevertical movement between said bodies; an electrcmagnet on said lowerbody; guide means mounted on one of said bodies adapted to be slidablyengaged by an electrical conductor cable so that said cable may beextended downwardly therefrom for electrical connection with saidmagnet; clamping means disposed between said guide means and said magnetin line with said guide means for gripping and holding the cableadjacent the electrical connection of the cable with said magnet,whereby said cable will move in a straight line between said clampingmeans and said guide means upon relative vertical movement between saidbodies; and means disposed between said clamping means and theelectrical connection of said cable with said magnet for shielding andprotecting said cable. 1

14. A grapple comprising: an upper body, adapted to be suspended by theholding line of a crane; a lower body; grapple arms swingably mounted onsaid lower body; a block and tackle unit linking said bodies; said unitincluding a hoist line adapted to be operated by the crane for actuatingsaid unit to effect relative vertical movement between said bodies;links connecting said holding said cable above said magnet whereby saidcable will move in a straight line between said clamping means and saidguide means upon relative vertical movement between said bodies.

15. A grapple comprising: an upper body adapted to be suspended by theholding line of a crane; a lower body; grapple arms swingably mounted onsaid lower body; a block and tackle unit linking said bodies; said unitin cluding a host line adapted to be operated by the crane for actuatingsaid unit to effect relative vertical movement between said bodies;links connecting said upper body with said arms operable to swing saidarms into and from load sustaining position responsive to relativevertical movement between said bodies; an electromagnet on said lowerbody; guide means swivelly mounted on one of said bodies adapted to beslidably engaged with an electrical conductor cable so that said cablemay be extended downwardly therefrom for electrical connection with saidmagnet; clamping means on said lower body in line with said guide meansfor gripping and holding said cable :above said magnet whereby saidcable will move in a straight line between said clamping means and saidguide means upon relative vertical movement between said bodies; and ashield mounted on one of said bodies between said clamping means andsaid guide means for covering and protecting said cable.

16. A grapple comprising: an upper body, adapted to be suspended by theholding line of -a crane; a lower body; grapple arms swingably mountedon said lower body; a block and tackle unit linking said bodies; saidunit including a hoist line adapted to be operated by the crane foractuating said unit to effect relative vertical movement between saidbodies; links connecting said upper body with said arms operable toswing said arms into and from load sustaining position responsive torelative vertical movement between said bodies; an electromagnet on saidlower body; guide means swivelly mounted on one of said bodies adaptedto be slidably engaged by an electrical conductor cable so that saidcable may be extended downwardly therefrom in -a straight line forelectrical connection with said magnet; clamping means disposed betweensaid guide means and said magnet in line with said guide means forgripping and holding the cable adjacent the electrical connection of thecable with said magnet, whereby said cable will move in a straight linebetween said clamping means and said guide means upon relative verticalmovement between said bodies; and a shield mounted on one of said bodiesbetween said clamping means and said guide means for covering andprotecting said cable, said shield surrounding said cable and permittingaxial movement of the cable relative thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,171,393 Morris Feb. 8, 1916 1,957,719 Naugle et a1. May 8, 19341,964,905 Butterworth July 3, 1934 2,243,306 Ashton May 27, 1941 FOREIGNPATENTS 99,080 Austria Jan. 26, 1925 302,091 Great Britain Dec. 13, 1928

